Sealing means for feed and discharge conduits of centrifugal separator bowls



W 1953 H. Fl SEMMONS 296379491 SEALING MEANS FE AND D CHARG ONDUITS OF CENTRIFUGAL. SEPAR OR BOW Filed Feb. 4, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HAROLD c. FITZS/MMONS BY 1 a M ATTORNEY y 5, 1953 c. FITZSIMMONS 2,637,491

H. SEALING MEANS FOR FEED AND DISCHARGE CONDUITS OF CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR BOWLS Filed Feb. 4, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD C. F/TZSIIWMOf/VS G y Q A TTORNE Y May 5, 1953 H. c. FITZSIMMONS 2,637,491

SEALING MEANS FOR FEED AND DISCHARGE CONDUITS OF CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR BDWLS Filed Feb. 4, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m Hill lll' t 76' 6 6 f 7 6'6 62 57 655 33 6 1 47 E 6' L in J 7 l I 6'6 6, II 65 15 1 V 1 A 5a I 6 /I INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 5, 1953 SEALHNG MEANS FOR FEED AND DISCHARGE CQNDTUIITS 0F CENTR-IFUGAL SEPARATQR Harold C. Fitzsiminons, West Chester, Pa, as-

signor to The Sharples Corporation,-.a oorporation oi Delaware Application February 4, 1950, Serial No. 142,376

'7 Claims. l

This invention relates to centrifuges, particularly to centrifuges which employ fluid sealing means between the rotating and non-rotating parts, and has for an object the prevention, or substantial reduction, of leakage through or around such sealing means.

The desirability of providing a seal around the tubular extension of a high-speed rotor in order that fluid may be directed away from the rotor and into a stationary discharge conduit has heretofore been recognized, and sealing elements made of soft rubber, or some rubber-like material, in close contact with such high-speed extensions have been utilized. Such sealing elements have been shown and described in the United States patent to Jones, No. 2,435,941. Under some conditions difficulty has been experienced with such seals, however, because of leakage of the fluid or liquid between the sealing element and the rotating part or between the sealing element and the stationary conduit. Such leakage is substantially reduced, and in many cases wholly prevented, in accordance with the invention, by modifying the liquid flow in the vicinity of the sealing element.

The exact reason for the reduced leakage in accordance with the invention cannot be stated with absolute certainty because the leakage is caused by various factors whose relative importance is obscure. Vibration incidental to high-speed rotation may tend to cause such leakage by causing relative lateral movement between the aforesaid rotating and stationary parts, thereby repeatedly compressing the seal. or causing it to slip on the stationary parts, but attempts to improve the condition by providing a floating seal in which the stationary parts are free to move laterally along with the rotor under vibration have not been wholly successful under certain conditions. On the other hand, while the rotary motion of the liquid as it leaves the high-speed rotor might appear helpful in minimizing such leakage since it throws the liquid away from the seal and toward the discharge conduit, it has been found in accordance with the invention that reduction of this rotary motion results in a substantial reduction in leakage even in the presence of vibration.

One of the factors contributing to the reduced leakage in accordance with the invention is explainable by the well-known Bernoulli theorem which states, in effect, that along a path of stream flow a region of high velocity is a region of low pressure. By reducing the high-velocity rotary movement of the fluid or liquid in the vicinity of the sealing element, the pressure on the seal is thereby increased. The seemingly paradoxical concept of increasing'the liquid pres sure on a sealing element in order to reduce the leakage therearound becomes understandable when it is noted that, first, the sealing element is so designed that liquid pressure thereon holds it .firmly in contact with the extension of the high-speed rotor and with the stationary parts; and, second, that leakage induced by vibration is less likely to occur if the sealing member is thus firmly held in contact.

Further details of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a centrifuge embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a portion oi a type of centrifuge similar to Fig. l to which the invention has been applied, but with differently constructed parts differently identified:

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. i is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal plan view of a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 5-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. '2' is a vertical sectional view of a portion of still another type of centrifuge embodying the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-4! in Fig. '7.

Referring to the drawings, the invention has been shown in one form as applied to a centrifuge of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,435,941, Jones. In Fig. 1 liquid to be centrifugally treated passes upward through a non-rotating inlet conduit ii! into a hollow extension H of a rotor or bowl it which, with other parts not shown, are enclosed within housing it. The rotor 92, which performs the usual functions of a centrifuge, and its extension H may be supported and driven at high speed from the upper end thereof by any suitable well-known means, such as shown in Bath Patent 1,750,154.

The liquid entering rotor ii in an upward direction after being centrifuged passes downward through annular passageway I l between extension 1 i and tubular member Eli which may be constructed integrally with rotor 12. The liquid flowing downward from annular passageway M has a high rotary velocity, due to the rotation not only of rotor I2 but also due to rotation of extension II and member I5, as it enters an annular chamber formed by the walls of a collar I8. This liouid flows outward through holes I8a in collar I8 into annular chamber I9, thence out through discharge pipe or conduit 20 connecting therewith. Thus, the walls of the annular chamber I9 and those of collar I8 form a part of the outlet passageway or conduit for the liquid discharged from rotor I2.

The housing I3 may be supported in anv suitable way such as by a floor pedestal of which it may be an integral part, as shown in said patent to Bath, No. 1750,154. The rotor I2, supported and driven from its upper end, as shown in said Bath patent, has a downwardly exten ing boss I2a, shown as integral with member I5. ournaled in a bearing or b shin 22 rigid] held between the upper flange of seal-housing 23 and the upper fian e of cap 24 threaded thereon. A set screw 25 prevents relative rotation between bxshin" 2?. and can 4. The cap 24 is rovi ed w th a lo er radial dance 24!! in o posing re at on ith respect to a shoulder or fi n e of t e stat onar ho sing I3. a compression s rin 25 being disposed t ere etween to ress the radial flange 24a of cap 24 downwardly arainst the inwardl exten n flan e of a wt 2''. The nut 2 is hrea e to the lower en of hous n I3. While the cap 24 and the s b-assembly of ass c ted p rts connected thereto are restra ned from rot rv mo men clearance is provided at the eripher of its flange 24 for sli ht lateral rela 'e movement wi h res ect to t e flan e of nut 9,1 on hous n I3. '"-e su -assem y of arts is 'n n to hose s' ille' in the art as a drag as em The dr o assembly mo es a a "ho e q- F's-t Y'pm nflI qrv-o 959 an +119. fl'ah 'g of n t 2". The e ed fri t onal opposition ser'e to raemu "i on and to oppose precess n f he o er en 0- rotor 52.

'TFP, fF'lcrn'luit I" for the gwr nv n? H -wai to the entr r' h ts er anentl at he p u fan 2 ts nt an n t a -s a d mem er 29. T s member 23 in t rn fits nto. and has n s 29a who e up er en s ear aga nst a sho"lder of a up-share mem e 3i. The r ern er 3 h s a o er r dial. fi n en a in" the o er end o s a -hw' n 23, a gasket be n sho n nternosed thereh t een.

The parts 2 and 3'! are all secured to the seal-hmis n' 23 by 2 nut 3| whi h is t -rea edly secured to the lower en of seal-housino 23. A lower radial flange o t 3' res s in e p u fian e 2 se ured to eed orn' uit IL Thus, the r assem y n" d'=s of th foregoing pqr q wh ch are secured tn sPaJ-hous n 93 e u q m q- R j-#1 i 'Tirro 3 and 4 fi s YiIZQ the unner end of ous n" 2 and has l er in tu ned fig-noes reci-jpcrun?! the ringer surface M the cl -shaped member 3'! an is ro ed with a "erti q wa l-slot l c (Figs. 3 tc w h a p n 32 1. ex en om a press fit in sealhowqinp 23 +0 YWI'G' Pnt T t fifln.

The sea n means for n e"enng ea 'ere of t e bo e-m n one l i wi l no'" be escribed. Fir t. it s des red to prevent lea we bet e n s al-ho s n 2 and r g mem er I5. To this end an ann r ea 3 is positioned bet een h er ra al flange 93 of the seal-housin .2 and t e up er ra ial flan e f 011 wpm nr I The i H- v f u' e ser es tn sun Olt seal 33 ith the m ch n at re t. n su ta le s p ort may he use in place of co ar I8, which collar in that event will be Omitted The dimensions are such that there is a greater axial space between the upper flange of collar I 8 and flange 23a than the thickness of the radial flange of seal 33, thus providing a clearance when the nut 3| is tightly drawn up. Hence, the radial flange of annular seal 33 is not under axial compression, the dimensional clearance provided between it and the flange 23a being of the order of one thirty-second of an inch as determined by the axial length of the collar I 8. Seal 33 of the so-called hat type may be made of any suitable flexible and elastic material, such as rubber or the rubber-like material commonly known as neoprene. It is proportioned to fit snugly but not tightly around the Whole periphery of rotating tubular member I5, and it has a depending lip or annular portion which will be urged against member I5 by the pressure of the liquid in the outlet, the passageway or chamber. Likewise, the radial flange portion of seal 33, which radial flange portion as will be noted extends laterally outward from and around a section of said depending lip or annular portion of said seal 33, e. g. around one end thereof as shown, will be held against f ange 23a of seal-housing 23 by the pressure of liouid in the outlet chamber or passageway. Potation of seal 33 is prevented bv en agement of the sides of a slot 32a formed there n ith the pin 32.

Text, it is desired to prevent leakage of liouid between the extension II and the upper flange of cupha ed me ber 3'3. To t is end, a seal 34, similar to seal 33, is supported upon the upper radial flange of member 33 and below the lower radial flange of collar or member I8. The de th of a seal-recei ing recess formed in the upper f an e of member 30 is approximately a thirt -secon of an inch rreater than the thickness o the ra ially e"ten-"in f n"e of seal 34 to ro ide clearance. The sea 34 may be made of the same material as seal 33. Its p ardly extend n lip or annu ar portion is li 'ewise urged aga nst extensicn II by the pressure of liouid and its rad al fian'e i. e. its portion extending latera lv out ard from and arcund a section of its annular port on (t e lo er end as shown) is ur ed against the radial flange of me ber 30 by the same pressure. Rotatirn of seal 34 is prevented by encasement of the sides of a slot formed. there n with a pin 35 extending from member 30. The present invention is particularly concerned with prevention of leaka e at seal 34.

Next it is desired to prevent leakage of feed li-u ol betwe n e tension II nd the radial flan e 290 of cup-shaped member 29 as the li uid passes upward from feed or in et conduit I 0 into rotat nr extension II. For th s purpose a seal 36, similar to seals 33 and 34, is posit oned against the "nder side of the upper radial flange 29c of cup-shaped member 29. Peal 35 may also be ma e of rubber, or some rubber-like material. with a depending li or annu ar porti n adapted to be ur ed against the peri hery of extension I I b liou d press re in the annular in et chamber, and ith a rad al flange as described adapted to be held against not only flan e 230 by the same liouid pressure, but also by the elastic compression of a snrin'? 31, the lower end of hich enga es an annular seat of plug fian 'e 28 and the upper en of hich en a es and presses against washer 38 wh ch engages t e radial flange of seal 36. Rotation of seal 3'3 is pre ented by a p n 39, press-fitted in c p-shaped member 29. ena n a slot formed in the radial flange of seal 36.

member, and baffles in said chamber positioned about said annular portion of said sealing member and transversely of therotation of said liquid to reduce the rotation of said liquid about said sealing member.

3. The combination comprising a rotatable tubular member, a rubber-like sealing member having an annular portion surrounding and engaging said tubular member, a stationary chamher about said sealing member, said sealing member having a portion extending laterally outward from and around a section of said annular portion, said laterally extending portion of said seal-' ing member engaging a surface of said stationary chamber adjacent said tubular member to form with said annular portion a seal at the juncture of said tubular member and said chamber, a second rotatable tubular member surrounding said first tubular member and forming a passage therebetween, said passage entering said chamber, means for rotating said tubular members, means for feeding liquid into said first tubular member and for discharging liquid in rotating condition into said chamber through said passage, and baffles in said chamber positioned about said annular portion of said sealing member and transversely of the rotation of said liquid to reduce the rotation of said liquid about said sealing member.

4. The combination with a centrifuge bowl of a feed tube fixed to and rotatable with said bowl, an elastic sealing member having an annular portion surrounding and engaging said feed tube, a stationary liquid receiving chamber about said sealing member and said feed tube, said sealing member having a portion extending laterally outward from and around a section of said annular portion, said laterallyextending portion of said sealing member engaging a surface of said chamber extending laterally about and contiguous to said feed tube to form with said annular portion a seal between said feed tube and said chamber, a second tube fixed to and rotatable with said bowl and positioned about said feed tube, said second tube being of sufficiently larger diameter than said feed tube to form a liquid discharge passage therebetween, said discharge passage entering said chamber, means for discharging liquid from said bowl in rotating condition through said passage into said chamber, and baffles in said receiving chamber positioned about said annular portion of said sealing member and transversely of the rotation of said liquid to reduce the rotation of said liquid about said sealing member.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the sealing member is rubber-like.

6. The combination with a centrifuge bowl having concentric inlet and outlet passages at one end thereof, and a stationary liquid receiving chamber about said inlet passage communicating with said outlet passage, of a non-rotatable elastic sealing member in said receiving chamber having an annular portion surrounding and in contact with the exterior of said inlet passage, said sealing-member having a laterally extending portion integral with said annular portion and extending around a section of said annular portion, said laterally extending portion being in contact with a surface of said receiving chamber, and radially positioned baflles in said receiving chamber positioned about said annular portion of said sealing member.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which the sealing member is rubber-like.

HAROLD C. FITZSIMMONS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,806,929 Bath May 26, 1931 2,145,541 Forsberg Jan. 31, 1939 2,147,691 Cramton Feb. 21, 1939 2,302,578 Serrell Nov. 17, 1942 2,435,941 Jones Feb. 10, 1948 2,554,622 Jones May 29, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 570,633 Great Britain July 17, 1945 

